Solar still vibrator

Abstract

A solar still of the type having a container for holding a supply of liquid to be evaporated and an inclined solar transmissive cover mounted in an inclined position thereon, is provided with a vibrating device for imparting vibrations to the cover member to facilitate the coalescing and downward flow of condensation droplets formed on the underside of the cover member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A solar still comprising: container means for holding a supply of liquid to be evaporated,   inclined solar transmissive cover means mounted on said container means upon which droplets of condensation form and   vibrator means mounted on said solar still for imparting vibrations to said cover means to facilitate downward flow of said droplets on said inclined cover means.   
     
     
       2. A solar still as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vibrator means is comprised of an electric motor mounted on said container means, said electric motor having an output shaft with an eccentric weight thereon. 
     
     
       3. A solar still as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vibrator means is comprised of an electrically operated buzzer means mounted on said container means. 
     
     
       4. A solar still as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vibrator means is electrically operated and includes power supply means and timer means connected between said power supply means and said vibrator means for periodically operating said vibrating means. 
     
     
       5. A solar still as set forth in claim 4, wherein said solar still is comprised of a plurality of container means and associated cover means, each having vibrator means mounted thereon with a first plurality of said vibrator means being connected together for simultaneous operation according to a first timing sequence by said timer means and a second plurality of vibrator means connected together for simultaneous operation according to a second timing sequence by said timer means different from said first timing sequence. 
     
     
       6. A method of operating a solar still having container means for holding a supply of liquid to be evaporated and inclined solar transmissive cover means thereon upon which droplets of condensation form comprising vibrating at least the cover means to precipitate the downward flow of said droplets on said inclined cover means and collecting said droplets of condensate. 
     
     
       7. A method as set forth in claim 6 where the vibrating is intermittent. 
     
     
       8. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein a plurality of stills are provided and the vibrating of at least one still is alternated with the vibrating of at least one other still.